BOSULIF is currently approved in the U.S. and EU for patients with Ph+ CML resistant to or intolerant of prior therapy. Bosutinib is an oral once-daily tyrosine kinase inhibitor that interferes with an enzyme called Bcr-Abl kinase which promotes CML. It was first approved in the U.S. in September 2012.

Guggenheim initiates coverage on Pfizer (PFE+0.5%) with a Neutral rating joining four other shops with like ratings (recent updates) and price targets between $33 - 38. Four other analysts who updated coverage this month rate it a Buy with price targets ranging from $35 - 38.

MCC is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that affects ~2,500 Americans each year.

Priority Review status shortens the review clock to six months from the usual 10 months. The specific action date is not provided but should be around June 1, 2017.

Avelumab, a fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, is being co-developed by Merck KGaA and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) for the treatment of a range of cancers under a strategic alliance inked in November 2014.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) perks up 1% premarket on light volume on the heels of an upgrade by Barclays analyst Geoff Meacham. Citing improved prospects for accessing its overseas cash under a business-friendly Donald Trump administration, he upgrades the stock to Overweight with a $38 (19% upside) price target.

QuintilesIMS (NYSE:Q): will lead a collaborative initiative involving Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY), Merck KGaA (OTCPK:MKGAF)(OTCPK:MKGAY) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) with the goal of providing clearer and more proactive insight into how anti-cancer treatments are used in actual practice across key European markets. Specifically, the initiative aims to bridge the information gaps and inconsistencies in knowledge related to how oncology products are used, for which types of patients and indications and in what sequences and combinations. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of care for cancer patients and improve outcomes.

Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) offer to purchase for cash any and all of its 6.2% Senior Notes due March 15, 2019 resulted in $1,944,022,000 of the Notes being tendered. The payment for the purchased debt will be made today.

Pfizer (PFE-0.6%) takes exception to the release of Medicaid rebate data to state lawmakers by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The agency, which initially said no, acquiesced after the Texas Attorney General determined that the release would not violate state law. The state Senate wanted the information as part of their efforts to manage drug costs.

The company promptly filed a lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent any further data disclosures. It also wants to be notified of any future requests. Pfizer claims that if other large customers were award of the pricing in Texas, it "would not be able to provide such pricing and rebates to every entity due to their unique differences in size, market and particular needs."

ViiV Healthcare, the HIV-focused company majority owned by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK-0.7%) and Pfizer (PFE-0.4%), initiates two Phase 3 studies assessing an injectable regimen of cabotegravir and rilpivirine for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The studies, FLAIR and ATLAS, will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the two-drug combo, administered once per month, in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients.

According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the estimated final data collection date for the primary endpoint is July/August 2018 for both studies. The estimated completion date for both is April/May 2022.

Cabotegravir, developed by ViiV, in an integrase strand transfer inhibitor. It is also being evaluated in a tablet formulation.

Rilpivirine [marketed as EDURANT by Janssen (JNJ-1.2%)] is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Britain's advisor to its National Health Service (NHS), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) continues its success with corralling prices from drug makers. Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) are the latest to extend discounts for access to the NHS.

Roche cut the price to breast cancer drug Perjeta earlier this year as did BMY with leukemia med Sprycel.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) have also offered increased discounts of late. The specific amounts are confidential, however.

As expected, the European Commission approves Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) IBRANCE (palbociclib), in combination with an aromatase inhibitor [e.g., AstraZeneca's (NYSE:AZN) Arimidex (anastrozole)] for the treatment of women with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HR+/HER2-) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The approval also covers the use of IBRANCE in combination with fulvestrant (AZN's FASLODEX) who have received prior endocrine therapy.

Palbociclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6, downstream signaling pathways which lead to cellular proliferation. When combined with an antiestrogen, it inhibits the growth of breast cancer by interfering with these pathways and promoting the deterioration of cancer cells (senescence).